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Tuesday, 30 April 2013

Last weekend I held the second Sewing Directory meet up in London. We had the lovely Jenna from Sew Happy Geek teaching us to make embellished notebook covers and Susan from Sewbox provided loads of beautiful Liberty fabrics for us to use, and take home too. Plus she kindly gave goodie bags for all attendees which included mini sewing kits, pretty pin wheels, tape measures and other habby.

Liberty Fabrics from Sewbox

We had a table full of embellishing supplies for people to help themselves to and it was great to see what different designs people came up with for their notebook covers. The pictures of the notebook covers below are courtesy of Ellie from Never Forget.

Embellishing supplies

Whilst we were waiting for the last few people to turn up Jenna suggested that being as we were in the YMCA building we had to have a YMCA photo...

But we also did a more sensible group photo at the end of the session.

I also took a few photos of everyone hard at work sewing their embellishments on.

Amazingly we had enough raffle prizes for every single person to win one so a big thank you to everyone who gave a prize.

I was in London for a couple of days before the meet up so decided to go to the Kaffe Fasset exhibition in the London Fashion and Textile Museum. It was a total explosion of colour which showed the inspriation behind his work and how his designs have evolved over the years. The photos below are of his quilts on display at the museum.

I also managed to squeeze in a morning at Liberty (my first ever visit), somehow the hours just flew by whilst I was in there. Such an amazing building full of so many beautfil things. I managed to buy some Kaffe Fassett fabrics and some Joel Dewberry Notting Hill fabrics.

I also went to the V & A and was in awe at the size of the place as well as the treasures displayed inside. I didn't take many pictures whilst there was I was too busy looking at everything but I did have to photograph the amazingly opulent cafe! Definitely a place I need to go back to when I have more time.

Cafe at the V & A

Several people have already been asking when the next Sewing Directory meet up will be. If you look at the tool bar above you'll find the details of the Exeter Meet Up in September. I'm also working on a possible meet up in Bristol towards the end of the year. If it can be arranged I will share the details as soon as they are ready.

A huge thanks to everyone who came to the London meet up, or sponsored/provided prizes, it was an amazing day.

Thursday, 18 April 2013

Thank you all for your entry into our giveaway with Fiskars, it's great to see how many of you remember Fiskars from your childhood.

Hope you all enjoyed The Great British Sewing Bee, do you think the right 3 made it through to the final? I'm voting for Lauren to win although I'm also really warming to Sandra. Can't wait to see the final! Shame it's all ending so quickly, I hope there's another series soon.

If you are looking for any of the supplies, patterns or techniques featured in the show do take a look here.

Anyway onto the Fiskars winners...

Congratulations to Stacey Catlin and Cathy Medlock. I'll be in touch with you shortly to get your address for the prizes to be sent out.

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Whilst we’re all getting excited about tonight’s episode of
The Great British Sewing Bee, wondering who will make it through to the finals
(can’t believe it’s almost over already!) would you like the chance to win the
dressmaking scissors used in the show?

Those distinctive orange
handled scissors are in fact Fiskars
dressmaking scissors (RRP. £21.99) and Fiskars are kindly giving us 2 pairs to
giveaway this evening.

To enter either comment below or tweet us @sewingdirectory
to tell us when you first came across Fiskars scissors?

I first discovered them as a child when asking my mum why
her scissors had such colourful handles.Being a left-handed dressmaker she struggled to find good quality left
handed shears so has used Fiskars for her whole career.

Do share your story below, or on Twitter and we’ll pick a couple
of winners at random after tonight’s show.

Terms &
conditions - UK & Ireland only – Ends midnight Tuesday 16th
April.Winners will be announced on this
blog on the 17th April. If commenting below please ensure I have a way of contacting
you if you win.

Whilst we’re talking about Fiskars I have to say I recently
bought a pair of their new Servo
Cut scissors (shockingly white handled instead of orange!) and they are
brilliant, they cut through fabric as if it was paper, even managed 4 layers of fabric plus 2 layers of wadding a couple days ago with no problem. Guess this is one family
tradition that will be continuing! ;-)

Thursday, 4 April 2013

So... what did you all think of The Great British Sewing Bee? I have to say I loved it, I was expecting it to be a lot more twee and less challenging so was pleasantly surprised. I think all the contestants did amazingly well to be able to sew under such time pressure, don't think I could have hacked it!

Any early favourites? I love Tilly because I'm a long term fan of her blog but I also think Lauren and Mark have what it takes too. I hear next week's episode is even better than the first so can't wait until Tuesday.

Janome Sewist 525S as used in The Great British Sewing Bee

I saw a lot of people asking where they could get the sewing machines used on the show, the fabrics the contestants used in their garments and supplies like the bias maker. So I've compiled a list of where to buy many of the items featured in the show, along with other useful links like contestant's blogs etc.